"Machamp, Second Gear—Finger Pistol: Daytime Tiger!"
Standing atop a drifting ice floe, Ron issued his command without hesitation.
Machamp clenched all four fists at once, releasing a burst of steam as its entire body began to glow faintly red.
For others, battles were a matter of life and death—for Machamp, they were a matter of cost.
In order to maintain its Second Gear state, a single battle had already consumed an entire week's worth of Machamp's rations.
Of course, there was a benefit. Some of the energy from this mode slowly integrated into Machamp's body, providing it with a permanent boost in strength.
Unfortunately, such an effect only occurred in the most intense battles. With this in mind, Ron turned his gaze toward Elite Four Drake.
Drake had already familiarized himself with Ron's reputation prior to this battle.
Now, with Ron personally requesting a match, the veteran Elite Four member was eager to see just how strong the young trainer truly was.
A ferocious white tiger burst forth, roaring as it lunged toward Drake's Flygon, one of his Elite Four-tier Pokémon.
Though labeled as a newly advanced Elite Four-level Pokémon, Flygon had already reached level 69, just a step away from Mid-Elite Four status. In reality, it was the weakest Pokémon in Drake's arsenal.
"An interesting combination of techniques. Flygon, Dragon Breath!"
After briefly observing Machamp's Daytime Tiger, Drake commanded his Flygon to counter with an attack of its own.
A blazing-hot breath of fire shot forward, faintly taking the shape of a dragon. In an instant, a spectacular clash between dragon and tiger erupted over the ocean's surface.
As the fiery energy dissipated into embers in the air, Flygon's Dragon Breath managed to overpower Machamp's Daytime Tiger, sending the Fighting-type crashing into the sea below.
A massive splash erupted, steam rising into the sky—only for the vapor to be instantly obliterated as Machamp unleashed Finger Pistol: Morning Peacock.
"Flygon, Stonefall!"
A devastating combination of Stone Edge, Rock Slide, and Rock Tomb was executed at once. Countless stones plummeted like a cascading wall, effortlessly blocking Machamp's Morning Peacock.
"Machamp, Finger Pistol: Evening Elephant!"
Realizing that his attacks were being repeatedly countered, Ron decided to go all in, commanding Machamp to unleash its most devastating combination.
"Flygon, Stone Dragon Dance!"
Sensing Machamp's increasingly aggressive offense, Drake opted to retaliate—though he still held back a portion of Flygon's strength.
After all, a nine-level gap was an insurmountable barrier, even at the Elite level—let alone at the Elite Four tier, where battling beyond one's rank was even more difficult.
Executing a Dragon Dive-centric technique, Flygon momentarily transformed into a stone dragon, with even its scales appearing vividly lifelike.
As it flapped its wings, the resulting air currents created two massive indentations on the ocean's surface.
The next second, the Stone Dragon accelerated with a speed unbefitting its massive form, charging straight toward Machamp's Evening Elephant.
The moment the Stone Dragon clashed against the Elephant's Foot, fine cracks spread across the stone armor, and fragments of rock crumbled away.
However, the red-hot Elephant's Foot also quickly collapsed. Within moments, the entire formation shattered, leaving only a residual red shockwave—which failed to halt the Stone Dragon's relentless charge.
"Machamp, Six King Pistol!"
Squeezing every last ounce of its power, Machamp brought its four fists together in a unified stance.
"Flygon, Stone Dragon Claw, prepare to strike."
A colossal shockwave erupted, completely shattering the weakened Stone Dragon.
As the broken rock fragments plunged into the sea, Flygon—fully prepared—seized the moment to strike with Stone Dragon Claw.
Its draconic talons slashed forward, effortlessly dispersing the remnants of Machamp's shockwave.
Before Machamp could react, Flygon's claws were already poised at its throat.
The battle was over.
"Well done, Flygon. Return."
With the match decided, Drake withdrew Flygon back into its Poké Ball.
Back on the floating ice floe, Machamp didn't seem disheartened by its loss. On the contrary, its fighting spirit burned brighter than ever.
"You did amazing, Machamp. But don't worry—we'll catch up to Flygon soon. No, we'll surpass it!"
Ron's voice was firm as he patted Machamp's muscular arms reassuringly.
"I'm impressed," Drake remarked, leaping effortlessly from his Salamence's back onto the ice floe despite his age. "You've only recently broken into the Elite Four tier, yet you're already this strong. I can only imagine what heights you'll reach in the future."
Watching the elderly Drake leap effortlessly from Salamence's back onto a floating ice patch, Ron couldn't help but wonder—was this old man lying when he claimed he hadn't practiced breathing techniques?
"You flatter me."
"Come on, no need to be so modest. That aside, we should be heading back."
With that, Drake sprang off the slippery ice and landed steadily on Salamence's back, motioning for Ron to follow.
Suppressing his urge to test Drake's strength, Ron recalled Machamp into its Poké Ball before leaping onto Salamence as well.
The next moment, Salamence flapped its powerful wings, carrying Drake and Ron as they pursued the ship ahead.
Ron couldn't deny it—riding on Salamence was an exhilarating experience, almost addicting. He felt like a true Dragon Rider.
By the time they returned to the ship, there was less than a day left before they would arrive in the Hoenn region. As Ron gazed out over the calm sea, a sense of anticipation began to rise within him.
"Ron, have you thought about what you'll do once we reach Hoenn?"
Standing on the deck, Drake looked out over the endless ocean and casually asked.
"I'm not sure yet… Maybe I'll challenge the Gym Leaders? But at my current strength, I'd probably just be on the receiving end of a beatdown."
Caught off guard by the question, Ron found himself at a bit of a loss.
Truthfully, the real reason he had come to Hoenn was to secretly train his Gengar. He hadn't given much thought to what else he would do.
"You shouldn't sell yourself short. Besides, battling strong opponents will help you grow even faster."
"But let me give you a word of caution—your performance back there likely caught the attention of Team Aqua. There's a good chance they'll come looking for you. Be careful while traveling in Hoenn."
Drake fixed Ron with a serious gaze. As he spoke, the aura of an Elite Four member subtly radiated from him.
"I understand. If anything happens, I'll notify the League immediately."
Meeting Drake's gaze, Ron quickly grasped the true reason for his questioning—it was simply a warning to be vigilant during his travels in Hoenn.
"Good. But mark my words—it won't be long before Team Aqua and Team Magma vanish from Hoenn for good!"
Having made sure Ron understood his point, Drake declared this with unwavering conviction.
Unlike the Kanto League, the Hoenn League had relatively few internal conflicts. The only real troublemakers were Team Aqua, Team Magma, and the swarms of Pokémon poachers that infested the region like locusts.
"I have no doubt you'll make it happen."
"...Though, probably around the time Ash visits Hoenn."
Ron didn't say the last part out loud, but thinking about it, every region Ash traveled to inevitably saw its evil organizations dismantled.
In that regard, Team Rocket was surprisingly resilient.
The next morning, the outline of Hoenn finally appeared before Ron's eyes.
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